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Don't forget to read our latest modelling tips located at the bottom of the newsletter.

In this month 1961 the infamous Dr Beeching took office as chairman for the British Transport Commission and Railways Board. Also in June 1961 the last of Bradshaw's railway timetables was published.

Chris Emptage sent us lots of  pictures of his great layout. Here are a few and if you click on them, you will be able to access the full set.

We are proud of our model railway layouts, and if you are not, then you should be. Even if there are aspects of it that you are not completely happy with, it is important to remember that we have all been there, and there is nothing that can't be undone or redesigned. Modelling takes time to get right and all of us learn from our mistakes.

One of the biggest mistakes we as modellers can make is to judge our layouts before they are even beginning to take shape. All layouts show their nakedness when they are merely track on a baseboard. Add some stations and hills and they look better; add fences, trees, people and ballast and you're really coming along. These are the things that we all know to do, but it is the ultra detail that really matters, and these are the things that we all too often forget!

Here are our top five 00 gauge items that we see an abundance of in everyday life, but often forget to include in our railway world: number 5: Ground signals - 4: Road signs - 3: Line-side cable trunking - 2: Double yellow lines and at number 1: Manhole covers.

In a special celebration of the Isle of Wight, we have featured some of the beautifully crafted 00 gauge models that truly capture our unique railway in times gone. 

We are starting with our own limited edition Isle of Wight wagon based on photographs from the early 1920s, then the perfect engine to go with it: a Hornby 0-6-0 Isle of Wight Terrier number 10 Cowes in a green livery that joined the island in 1900, a Southern Vectis Bristol MW6G and a Southern Vectis LD6G coaches from Base Toys, a slightly more recent Leyland Olympian from EFE with the traditional IOW coach seating and a Smallbrook Studios kit of the 4 wheel Stroudley coaches as used on the island from 1923.

 

• What is a helping hand tool?
• What is a panel line?
• How can I add panel lines to a scale model?
• What is a NEM pocket?